Early results from the Bayelsa State re-run election indicate that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is maintaining a comfortable lead in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and the 101 units in Bayelsa State, despite the low turnout of voters recorded in some communities.
Results from various polling units and wards across the state made available to journalists showed that the PDP is widening its existing lead of over 33,000 votes.
Despite the reported hitches, the PDP swept the polls in units and wards in Amassoma, Otuan, Ogbia, Nembe Ogbolomabiri, Ekpetiama and some other communities as made available by the INEC officials at the various polling units.
The PDP, as at the time of filing this report polled 7,234 votes while APC is having 1,948 votes.
In spite of heavy security presence, there were pockets of violence in some areas especially in Ekeremor, Famgbe and Nembe communities.
The election could not hold in Ekeremor town, as over five people including two policemen were reportedly killed and several injured likewise in Nembe and Famgbe communities.
Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, on Saturday, condemned the electoral malpractice and violence which disrupted the supplementary elections in Brass, Nembe, Ekeremor town and parts of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Over 14 people, (some witnesses said 12) including four policemen, two soldiers and eight civilians were feared dead in Ekeremor alone while many members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were reportedly attacked in Brass and Southern Ijaw.
The victims were said to be in critical conditions at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
The governor who wept for those that were killed, prayed for God to grant their souls eternal rest.
While calling for the arrest of the perpetrators of the killings, the governor condoled the families of those who have lost their dear ones. Governor Dickson thanked Bayelsans for reposing confidence in him and his government and expressed confidence of victory.
According to Dickson, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has never been happy with the the mantra of ‘one man, one vote’ anchored on transparency and fairness.
The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, accused chieftains of the APC of masterminding the killing of innocent Bayelsans in Brass, Ekeremor, Nembe and Southern Ijaw LGAs.
He wondered “why the APC would kill to capture power desperately through the backdoor, by hook or crook.”
